UMass hockey coach Toot Cahoon salutes seniors - an example that may carry over to next year

UMass goaltender Paul Dainton did a terrific job as captain, and the upperclassmen were united in helping freshmen like defenseman Adam Phillips
photo by J. Anthony Roberts

Despite a lack of success in the points column, the 2010-11 edition of the University of Massachusetts hockey team was a much closer-knit group than the previous year's squad which faded down the stretch with the confusion and distraction of certain players being lured to the pros. This was far more of a team in the true sense of the word.

The togetherness that has begun and will likely continue is the result of the leadership of the senior class, which provided a terrific role model by investing its time in the freshmen and sophomores who will make up the nucleus of the 2011-12 squad.

"It was a tough one to swallow, we were looking for a signature win," UMass coach Toot Cahoon said after Saturday night's season-ending loss at Boston College. "These kids, I know they're gong to have some signature wins, these young kids, but I really wanted it for the upper classmen because they were such a great group with the younger kids. I'm not just saying that, they were unbelievable how they weren't threatened by them, how they encouraged them.

"They knew they needed them, the (Michael) Pereiras of the world, the (Conor) Shearys of the world, the (Adam) Philips' of the world. All the seniors really just embraced them, and they did a great job of mentoring them so hopefully that bodes well for the way those kids treat incoming players."

The leader of the senior class, and the team captain, was goaltender Paul Dainton, truly a class act.

"Paul Dainton, as I think everyone knows now, is a really unique individual," Cahoon said. "Just his background, where he came from, how he assumed the job from Jon Quick in difficult circumstances - just walking in here and saying you've got to stand on your ear right from day one.

"And the way he conducted himself as a young person on our campus. I mean, he's revered among the faculty, he's a teaching assistant, he gets involved in community service - Big Brothers - genuine. I'ts not someone trying to pad a resume. This is the way he goes about his life. He's a man, he's not a young boy, he's a real man. He ran that locker room like a tight ship. He didn't say too much, but when he spoke, everyone paid attention."

Dainton felt the team's attitude turned around after the 11-2 drubbing at Merrimack.

"I think the huge turnaround in our season, where guys really started to figure things out was that Merrimack loss," Dainton said. "And after that, when you look at all the games, the guys were in it. They figured it out, and we didn't have the wins to show for it this year, but those guys absolutely figured it out, and they'll be fine in the future. You look at last weekend with Maine, and their ability to respond, being down, and knowing Providence was up, and tonight sticking with BC. They just need to find that effort to be consistent, and they'll have tons of success.

"This is the closest team I've been on, and the credit goes to the senior class. We've definitely invested a lot of time in these freshmen and sophomores, and I want nothing but success for all of them, they're all family members now, especially when you go through the type of season that we did.

"Usually you have that camaraderie when you're winning because everything's easier when you're winning. When you're losing, it's no easy task.

Dainton will purse pro hockey.

"My parents are here, so I'm just going to go hang out with them, and listen to the words of wisdom from my father," he said after Saturday's game concerning his future. But he added:

"I don't think that anyone would play at this level if they wouldn't want to move on. That's a bridge I'll cross when it comes, hopefully soon."